The Fair Work Commission announced an increase to the minimum wage from 1 July, with some reprieve for hospitality, but ALH is one group implementing early amid staffing stresses.
Last week the FWC outlined the upcoming rise in the minimum pay, and hospitality was given an exception until 1 October due to the impact COVID had on the industry.
However, Endeavour Group has already confirmed all its eligible staff on the hospitality award, numbering more than 15,000, will be getting the increase in July.
“We will implement the wage increase from the start of the first pay period in July to all eligible employees, including our hospitality team members,” says Endeavour Group CEO and managing director, Steve Donohue.
The listed company reports it is recruiting for more than 800 roles, with no previous experience required for most, and all training provided.
EDG also offers benefits such as grocery and drinks discounts (including for casuals) and is investing heavily in career development, touting that even a casual role could be the start of a long career.
As Australia’s largest operator of liquor stores and hotels, employing more than 28,000 people across retail, hotels, support offices, operations, wineries and more, EDG acknowledges it is in a “unique position” to be able to offer the incentives.
“We offer great long-term career opportunities across our businesses, and provide training programs for team members to help them grow with us,” furthered Donohue.
EDG’s announcement came with input by employees such as Jamee Jacobsen, who has been venue manager at the Manhattan Hotel in Ringwood for more than two years, having joined ALH Group 11 years ago.
“Hospitality is fun, we get to be social on every shift,” she says.
“There are always new people to meet, laughs to be had and you hardly ever look at the clock – time goes so quickly being hospitable and enjoying it at the same time!”
Hospitality workers have reported that beyond increased pay, more flexibility and long-term job security are high on their priority list.
For more on the staff crisis and what other groups are doing to tackle the problem, see the June 2022 edition of PubTIC Webazine, and the major feature on Hospo Workers Wanted.
